Google, HP recall Chromebook 11 chargers after 9 overheat and melt

Google and HP announced today that they will be recalling all of the chargers for the HP Chromebook 11 after the Consumer Product Safety Commission said the companies received nine complaints about them overheating and melting.

Earlier this year, the companies abruptly pulled the budget laptop from retail shelves, following initial reports of the chargers malfunctioning, though they didn’t initiate a recall of the nearly 145,000 chargers until today. Owners of the Chromebook 11 should fill out this form to request a replacement. Until the new charger arrives, it’s possible to power the Chromebook 11 with any other Micro USB power adapter.

That also means that the Chromebook 11 (complete with a new charger that shouldn’t melt) is back on the market for purchase today.

Still, the faulty chargers (which have caused at least one burn and damage to at least one pillow) are something of a black mark on the Chromebook 11, and a blow to Google’s efforts to chip away at the Windows PC market. No doubt this will provide plenty of fodder for a future Microsoft “Scroogled” ad spot.

Blair Hanley Frank is GeekWire's Bay Area Correspondent. He has also worked for Macworld, PCWorld and TechHive. Follow him on Twitter @belril and email him at blair@geekwire.com.